Spotlight: Mitt Romney Encouraged Business Owners To Advise Employees How To Vote

I usually stay away from politics, but this article really concerns me. Is this what politics has really come to? Please read this article. It says a lot about winning by any means necessary.

I encourage everyone to vote, but please vote your conscience. Don’t vote because your job told you who to vote for. Vote for the candidate that is right for you. Too many people fought and died to ensure that we could all vote. Please respect that sacrifice and vote with integrity, even if you are being pressured otherwise. No one goes into the voting booth with you!

During a telephone town hall with small-business owners, first reported by In These Times, Romney said President Barack Obama’s policies have hurt employers, criticizing the president on trade, labor, and his signature health care law.

“It’s an anti-business, anti-job agenda,” Romney said.

At the end of the call, Romney urged business owners to relay their thoughts on the election to their employees.

“I hope you make it very clear to your employees what you believe is in the best interest of your enterprise and therefore their job and their future in the upcoming elections,” Romney said. “And whether you agree with me or you agree with President Obama, or whatever your political view, I hope, I hope you pass those along to your employees.”

He continued: “Nothing illegal about you talking to your employees about what you believe is best for the business, because I think that will figure into their election decision, their voting decision, and of course doing that with your family and your kids as well. I particularly think our young kids … they need to understand that American runs on a strong and vibrant business and we need businesses growing and thriving this country.”

Romney is correct that such behavior is not illegal. After the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling, which greatly expanded corporations and unions’ political speech, employers can legally compel workers to participate in political campaigns.

However, the practice is often controversial. Westgate Resorts CEO David Siegel gained national attention when he emailed his employees to argue that Obama’s policies would “threaten” their jobs.

“If any new taxes are levied on me, or my company, as our current President plans, I will have no choice but to reduce the size of this company,” Siegelwrote, urging his workers to instead vote for Romney.

“If we fail as a nation to make the right choice on November 6th, and we lose our independence as a company, I don’t want to hear any complaints regarding the fallout that will most likely come,” Allen wrote.